This piece was written for premiere performance by the Sydney Symphony Orchestra Fellows by Ars Musica Australis. It is one of three works composed in 2009 to celebrate the 80th birthday of my teacher, mentor and friend, Peter Sculthorpe.
I believe that the influence of both current and past composers is extremely important in terms of approaches to music-making today. For any composer, the influence of music that they hear, whether consciously considered or subconsciously heard, surely must be taken into account at some level.
Septet takes as its starting point some of the ideas expounded by Sculthorpe in his music, including the influences of both Asian and Australian indigenous musics. Furthermore, the piece makes reference to both the lyrical and visceral approaches found in a variety of Sculthorpe’s pioneering works.
Matthew Hindson, 2010